Product Description
Hosta 'Autumn Frost' PP23224 (20)ct Flat
‘Autumn Frost’ is a sport of the 2010 AHGA Hosta of the Year, ‘First Frost’, which in turn is a sport of the champion of blue hostas, ‘Halcyon’. It is a showier version of ‘First Frost’, displaying extra wide margins.
The leaves emerge frosty blue with a bright yellow margin that lightens to creamy white during the summer. It forms a medium sized mound topped with light lavender flowers in mid to late summer.
Height: 12.0 Inches
Spread: 24.0 Inches
Scape Height: 12.0-16.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Variegated
Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer - Late Summer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Specimen, Focal Point
Hosta 'Autumn Frost' is a beautiful and popular hosta cultivar known for its vibrant, variegated foliage that changes throughout the season. It is a sport of 'First Frost', which was the 2010 Hosta of the Year, and has inherited its excellent qualities. Here is a closer look at 'Autumn Frost':
Appearance:
- Variegated Foliage: 'Autumn Frost' emerges in spring with frosty blue leaves and extra-wide, bright yellow margins. As the summer progresses, the margins lighten to a creamy white, creating a stunning contrast with the blue-green center of the leaves.
- Lavender Flowers: In mid to late summer, it produces light lavender flowers that rise above the foliage on slender scapes.
- Mounding Habit: It forms a neat, mounding habit, typically reaching about 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
Growing Conditions:
- Shade: Thrives in partial to full shade. It prefers some shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent the leaves from scorching.
- Moist Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-9, making it a versatile choice for many gardeners.
Care:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
- Mulching: Mulching around the plant helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Dividing: Divide clumps every few years in spring or fall to maintain vigor.
Uses:
- Shade Gardens: Adds a bright and colorful accent to shade gardens.
- Borders: Can be used as a border plant or edging for pathways.
- Containers: Its relatively compact size makes it suitable for containers on shaded patios or balconies.
- Woodland Gardens: Blends beautifully into woodland gardens.
Additional Information:
- Tetraploid: 'Autumn Frost' is a tetraploid hosta, meaning it has four sets of chromosomes. This often results in thicker leaves, stronger growth, and larger flowers compared to diploid hostas.
- Slug Resistance: It exhibits good resistance to slugs, a common pest for hostas.
- Award-Winning Lineage: As a sport of 'First Frost', it comes from a line of award-winning hostas known for their exceptional qualities.
If you are looking for a hosta with vibrant, variegated foliage that changes throughout the season, Hosta 'Autumn Frost' is an excellent choice. It is a beautiful and low-maintenance addition to any shade garden.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
